Razor-blade sharpener



D. B. PERKINS.

RAZOR BLADE SHARPE'NER. I APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20. 1919. 1,392,701,Patented Oct. 4, 1921..

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1- p I J A YTORZVEET Patented Oct. '4, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEY,

6 suns-sneer 4.

D. B. PERKINS.

RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 20, 1919- I go (PK Z1 D. B. PERKINS.

RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER.

. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20, I919. 1,392,701,

D. B. PERKINS.

RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER- APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20, 1919.

Patented Oct. 4, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

IJVVENTOR.

DBNEEL B. PERKINS, 0F ZPROVIDENTJE, lltI-IQDE ESL-AYE).

RMOR-B'LLDE SHARFENEB.

neeecoi.

Application filed October 20, 1918.

cutting edges, each edge comprising twoconverging beveled faces.Heretofore nonrotary sharpeners have been adapted to automatically honeor strop only one edge, or the two opposite faces of one edge, byasingle cycle of reciprocations. To sharpen the faces of the other edgerequired manual reversing or disassembling and reassembling theconstituent parts.

It has been attempted to attain this result 1) sharpeners of the rotarytype wherein a tilting holder presents the blade faces to rotar abrasivemembers. This was inefi'ectiveecause the periphery of a circular memberbeing curved, acting upon the plane face of the blade, tends to groovethe blade adjacent the edge rather than plane and sharpen it. i

The essential objects of my invention are to successfully sharpen allfour faces of the blade by a single cycle of reciprocations, and withoutreversal or reassembling of the elements carrying the abrasive members;to permit simultaneous manual reciprocation of both slides in oppositedirections free of any support for the device and bymotions natural tothe operator; to determine the length of stroke atwill; to increase thespeed of the sharpening operation; to avoid the disadvantages ofcylindrical abrasive members; to ailord accessibility to the bladeholder without detachment of any part of the structure; to enable bothstropping and honing, or simultaneous stropping and honing; and to makethe device sightly, portable, compact, and self contained. Furtherobjects of my invention will appear from an examination pf the drawingsand the following descrip- My invention consists in mounting the memberswhich carry the abrasive elements in both slidable and ivotal relationto each o her; also in both s idable and pivotal re- Specification ofLetters Retent.

Patented 4, 1921.

Serial No. 3332,1110.

lation to the blade holder; in locating the blade holder forsimultaneous contact with two independent plane abrasive surfaces; andin such parts and combinations of parts as fall within the scope of theappended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,and which 1llustrate the principles of this invention and the best modenow known to me of applying those principles.

Figure 1 is aside elevation of my sharpener closed, c

Fig. 2, a like elevation of the same with the shell removed and aportion of the abrasive member broken away,

Fig. 3, a plan of the same,

Fig. 4, a perspective view of the sharpener open,

Figs. 5 and 6, sections on line 5-5 and 6--6 respectively of Fig. 2 ofthe sharpener in closed and open positions respectively,

parts in Fig. 5 bein shown broken awa Figs. 7' and 8, sections on line7-7 of ig. 2 of the same 1n closed and open positions respectively,

Figs. 9 and 10 sections on line 9-9 and 10l0 respectively of Fig. 2showing the slides distended to their limits in opposite directions,

Figs. 11

Fig. 13, a transverse section of a razor blade, and

Fig. 14, a section of a shell engaging memher on line 1414 of Fig. 6.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the views.

- Mly razor blade sharpener comprises two reciprocable blocks or framesof similar construction indicated in a general way by 17 and 18. Theseframes may be of any construction, either solid or open, adapted tocarry abrasive elements. In the form thereof herein illustrated eachframe comprises flat and bars 20 connected near their ends bycylindrical longitudinally disposed outer and inner marginal guide rods21 and 22. In this instance the guide rods are constituent parts of the"frames but this is not essential. Detachable shells 23 comprisingrectangular bodies 24 with rounded corners, and peripheral flanges 25frictionally embrace and house the frames, but these may be omitted. Inthis case the rounded corners of the flanges contact with and -12 detailviews of the blade holder and the carriage respectively,

the ends of the bars 20, and the remaining portions of the flanges areslightly space from the frame. When present the shells are suflicientlyloose-to allow their manual withdrawal to permit substitution of shellsof different material and ornamentation. Auxiliary shell attaching meansare shown in Fig.- 14 consisting of studs comprising reduced portions 28fast in. openings 29 in the bars 20, or integral therewith, and enlargedportions 30 provided with cavities 31 in 'which register rounded indents32 upon the flanges 25.

Detachably mounted in the frames are reverslble abrasive or sharpeningelements 35 and 36 of identical construction. Each ele-' ment comprisesa plate 37 having fastened to one face by cement or otherwise a slab 38of hard abrasive material constituting a hone, and fast'to the otherside a stropping strip or pad 39 of leather or other less abrasivematerial.- n. the center of both ends of the plates are V shapedcentering notches 40 ada ted to receive conical projections or stu s 41provided with shanks 42 fast in the bars 20. Upon the faces of eachplate37, in diametrically opposite margins, are projecting knobs 45 to begrasped by the fingers in withdrawing the plates 37. The ends of seatstherefor and then return over the plates and hold them against the lugs.When the plates 37 are pressed against the fingers 48 the latter yieldto admit the former to the lugs, and then snap back and temporarily lockthe plates in place. The plates are re-. leased by withdrawing them. Theknobs 45 may be utilized in the described manipulation of the plates.The reversibility of the latter enable the exposure of either the bones38, or the strops 39.

The frames are interengaged in such a manner as to be both pivoted andlongitudinally reciprocable relatively to each other. Thisinterengagement is through a' hinge plate forming a constituent part ofa carriage. In detail the carriage comprises a fiat cross bar 54integral with whose ends are longitudinally disposed plates 55 and 56.Upon one end of the plate 56 are laterally extending spaced ears 57 and58 provided respectively with openings 60 and 61. Similar spaced ears 62and 63, with perforations 65 and 66 respectively, are integral with theother end of the plate. The cars 57 and 62 are in horizontal alinementwith each other at one side of the longitudinal center ofthe plate 56,and the ears 58 and 63 are in similar alinement at'the other side ofsaid center. The guide rod 22 of the frame 18 is slidablein theperforations of the ears 57 and 62, while the rod. 22 of the oppositeframe is loose in the perforations of t e ears 58 and 63. I The plate 55has lateral end ears 68 provided with perforations 69; through whichloosely passes the guide rod 21 of the frame 17. It will be. noted thatthe ears 57 and 62 co6perate with the bars 20 of the frame 18 to formstopsfor the latter in both directions of its reciprocation. The ears58, 63, and 68 perform a like oflice for the frame 17.

The described carriage serves as a carrier for an oscillatory bladeholder represented in a general way by 70. In detail the holdercomprises a flat clamping bar 71 with a vertical lip 72 upon one endprovided with a rectangular opening 73 forming a loop. Ulpon its otherend is an upturned finger piece 75 provided with a rectangular open ing76. A second flat bar 78 engageable with the bar 71 slidably passesthrough the openings 73 and 76 and has near one end an inclined shoulder80 normally engaged by the loop 72.. The inclined face of the shoulderhas preferably a series of transverse serrations 81. The bar 78 isextended beyond the shoulder and has its extremity curved to form ajournaling end portion 84. Fast to the other end of the bar 78 is a diskwith a central hub or projection 86. The end 84 of the bar 78 is loosein an opening 88 in the plate 56 having a beveled entrance 89, and itsextremity ispressed by a flat spring 90 fastened by rivets 91 in one endto the plate 56. Between the bars 71 and 78may beclamped a razor blade93. 'To separate the bars, the member 75 is manually drawn toward thedisk 85 and moves the loop 72 from the shoulder 80. After insertion ofthe blade, clamping" plate 71 is pushed in the opposite direction toforce the shoulder into tight engagement with the loop. J ournaled inthe plate 55 in alinement with the bar 78 is a shaft or pin 95 having onits outer end a head 96 engaging a washer 97. Fast to the pin 95 is apinion 99, and integral with the pinion and pin is a friction disk 100adapted to engage the face of the friction disk 85 and provided with acentral recess 101 adapjed to receive the hub 86- of the latter. ressureon the member 75 toward the spring '90 removes the projection 86 fromits seat and allows complete withdrawal of the {members 71 and 78 fromthe carriage. In operation the bar 78 and pin 95 constitute the sectionsof a divided rock shaft.

The mechanism for reciprocating the, pinion 99 is as follows. Fast inbars 20 of each frame, parallel with and adjacent the bars 21, are racks102. The rack in the frame 17 is adjacent the carriage wall 55 andengages eeann a driving pinion 103 mounted on a pin 104: in the Wall.The pinions intermesh, and when the frames are closed both racks engagethe pinion 103, as shown in Fig. 7, and the rod 21 of the member 18slidably rests on the cars 68. In closed position the frames are graspedby both hands, preferably in vertical planes, and simultaneouslyreciprocated in opposite-directions. In Figs. 9 and 10 the parts areshown in positions of, extreme travel; In FigflBa typical razor blade 93is shown with one edge 106 formed by inclined or beveled faces 107 and108, and the other edge 109 forming the apex of similar faces 110 and111. Atthe beginning of each reciprocation the pinion 103, through thedriven pinion 99, tilts the blade holder to a certain incline whichbrings the two blad faces 107 and 111 of the two edges into contact withthe two abrasive elements 38, as shown in Fig. 9; and in this positionthe holder remains throughout the period of travel of the frames. Thebeginning of the reverse movement of the frames in like manner tilts theholder bringing the faces 108 and 110 of the edges into contact with theabrasive element 38 where the blade is maintained during the remainderof the reverse travel. The reason that after the initial tilt of theblade holder no further rotary movement thereof occurs during theremaining period of the travel is because during this period the pinion99 rotates as an idler by virtue of the continued rotation of the disk100 over the face of the disk 85 with only suiiicient friction thereonto maintain the blade in contact with th two abrasive elements. Byvirtue of this pinion and disk con truction it is also possible toreverse the dir ctions of the frames at any period of their travel lessthan their extreme positions, thus controlling the length of stroke atwill.

The pressure of the operator"s hands is sufficient to keep the framesclosed during the sharpening operation, butfor convenience intransportation means maybe employed for maintaining the frames closed.In this instance such means consists of'a catch comprising a resilientpost 113 of thin metal, fastened to the wall 55 by a rivet 114, andhaving a transverse outwardly "directed inclined shoulder 115 andinwardly directed inclined lip 116. In closing the rod 21 of the frame18 slides on the lip 116 to a position below the shoulder 115., In thisposition the rod is held by the elasticity of the catch, but thefriction is not su'lhciently great to interfere with the reciprocationofthe frames.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificform herein illustrated and described, but may be embodied in otherforms without departure from its spirit as defined by the followingclaims.

It will be further understood that while this machine is particularlyadapted for honing and stropping safety razor blades its use is notintended to be limited to razor blades of the safety type.

I claim 1. In a safety razor blade sharpener, opposed frameslongitudinally reciprocable relatively to each other, a carriageinterposed between said frames and on which the latter are mounted,relatively fiat sharpening elements fixed to move with said frames,

a blade holder mounted in the carriage to hold a. blade between saidelements, and means for automatically oscillatin said holder duringreciprocation of the rames.

2. In a safety razor blade sharpener, opposed frames longitudinallyreciprocable relatively to each other, a carriage interposed betweensaid frames and on which the latter are mounted, relatively fiatsharpening elements fixed to move with said frames, :1 blade holdermounted in the carriage to hold a blade between said elements, and meansfor automatically oscillating said holder duringreciprocation of theframes, said frames inclosing the carriage and holder.

3. In a safety razor blade sharpener, a carriage, frames oppositelyreciprocable relatively to each other mounted in said carriage one uponeach side thereof, one of said frames being manually movable relativelyto and over the other; plane non-rotatable separate sharpening elementscarried by said frames, a blade holder mounted in the carriagetransversely of the direction of the movement of the frames, and meansfor oscillating the blade holder by the reciprocation of the frames.

4. In a razor blade sharpener, a carriage, oppositely reciprocableframes slidably engageable with opposite sides of the carriage, planeabrasive elements in the frames, racks .on the frames, a driving'pinionon the carriage engaging the racks, and an oscillatory blade holderoperable by said pinion and comprising a shaft pivotally supported inthe carriage disposed transversely of the racks intermediate theabrasive elements.

5. In a razor blade sharpener, a carriage, a blade holder on thecarriage, frames slidably mounted on both sides of the carriage,abrasive elements in the frames adjacent the blade holder, and shellsinclosing the frames, the carriage, and the blade holder.

6. In a razor blade sharpener, a carriage, an oscillatory blade holderpivotally mounted in the carriage, bodily reciprocable frames onopposite sides of the carriage, abrasive elements in the framescotiperating with the blade holder, and means operated by the frames foractuating the blade holder.

7. In a razor blade sharpener, a carriage, oppositely reciprocableframes slidably engageable with opposite sides of the carriage,

plane abrasive elements in the frames, racks on the frames, a drivingpinion on the carriage engaging the racks, and an oscillatory bladeholder comprising a shaft pivotally supported in the carriage disposedtransversely of the racks intermediate the abrasive elements, and apinion on the shaft engaging the driving pinion.

, 8. In a razor blade sharpener, a carriage, frames slidably mounted onopposite sides of the carriage, abrasive elements in the frames, racksin the frames, a driving pinion on the carriage adapted to mesh with theracks, a shaft in the carriage, a friction disk on the shaft providedwith a cavity, a pinion on the shaft engaging the driving pinion,

a blade holder comprising a bar having one end rotatably mounted in thecarriage adjacent the abrasive elements, a friction disk fast to thebar, a projection on the second disk loose in the cavity, anda spring onthe carriage engaging the end ofthe bar to press the disks together.

9. In a razor blade sharpener, a carriage, a blade holder on thecarriage, framesslidably mounted on both sides ofztheicarriage, abrasiveelements in the frames adjacent'the blade holder, andshellsdetachably-fitting the frames and inclosing the flames; the"carriage, and the blade holder.

10. In a razor blade sharpenen'f'acarriage, frames slidably mounted onboth sides of the carrier, opposed non-rotatable sharpening elements'inthe frames, studs in the sides of the frame'provided with cavities, ablade holder mounted in said carriage, shells inclosing the frames, andindents in the shells registering in the cavities.

11. In a razor blade sharpener. a carriage, an oscillatory blade holderin the carriage, frames slidably mounted on opposite sides of thecarriage and inclosing thecarriage, plane abrasive elements detachablymounted in the frames, and means operable by the movement of the framesfor oscillating the blade holder.

12. In a razor blade sharpener, a carriage,

the reciprocatory frames comprising end bars, and guide rods slidablymounted in the carriage, said end bars being provided with spacedopenings, lugs on the bars adj acent the openings, fiat springs fast tothe sides of the end bars opposite the lugs and intermediate theopenings, fingers on the springs extending through the openings,sharpening elements non-rotatably mounted in said frames retained inplace by said lugs and fingers, an oscillatory blade holder pivotallymounted in the carriage intermediate the elements, and means actuated bythe frames for oscillating the blade holder.

13. In a razor blade sharpener, a carriage, reciprocatory framescomprising end bars, and guide rods slidably mounted in the carriage atopposite sides thereof, an oscillatory blade holder pivotally mounted onthe carriage between the'frames, seats on the end bars, centering pointson the bars between the seats, plates resting on the seats and providedwith cavities adapted to receive the centering points, relatively flatsharpening elements carried by said plate and opposed to each other uponopposite sides of said blade holder. I

14. In a' razor blade sharpener, a pair of reciproca ble frames eachcomprising a pair of end bars, an outer connecting guide rod, andaninner connecting guide rod, a carriage between the frames and disposedtransversely thereof provided with holes in one end to slidably receivethe inner guide rods, v

and provided in its other end with holes adapted to slidably receive oneof the outer rods, the other outer rod resting on the carriage, a catchon the carriage adapted to engage the last mentioned rod, an oscillatoryblade holder pivotally mounted in the carriage, and means actuated bythe frames for operating the blade holder.

15. In a razor blade sharpener, a pair of frames pivotally andlongitudinally reciprocable relatively to each other, a carriage havinga member forming a constituent part thereof and connecting the frames,an oscillatory blade holder mounted in the carriage, abrasive elementsin the frames 00- operating with the blade holder, and means DANIEL B.PERKINS.

